weight loss affirmations

Argh!!  I didn't hit the 50 pound milestone that I expected to at my weigh-in today!  I'm annoyed but not defeated.  These past two weeks have been very successful in terms of staying within my points, making healthy choices and getting in my activity, so that is all that matters.  I'm headed in the right direction.  Yay!

I'm exactly at 49 pounds lost.  I lost 1.2 pounds over the past 2 weeks.  I dunno what happened, but I'm sure my next weigh-in will bring a sizable drop. (And if not, I will not freak out!  I promise that to myself!)

I created a list of affirmations that I've been meaning to print out and pin onto my wall in the bathroom, or maybe put it in a large Ziploc bag and hang it in the shower.  I want to say these affirmations out loud every day.  Being a member of Lakewood Church, I am a big believer in stuff like this.  Even the Buddha said "The mind is everything.  What you think, you become."

I've a had lifetime of telling myself negative things.  I have a lot of positive thinking to do in order to outweigh the bad stuff!

So here are my affirmations.  Feel free to copy and manipulate them to your liking.  I won't be offended if you take out the God stuff :)  I hope they help someone out there.

The only thing that stands in my way is ME.

I will never EVER, EVER give up on my dreams.  Even if I keep falling, I will keep getting back up every time.

I am a warrior.  I enjoy this challenge.  I will fight to the death.  God has armed with strength for this battle.

It’s not “what if…” or “will I..?” I create my own future.  I make the choices.  I am the one responsible for the quality of my life.

I have resurrection power inside me.  I will not put any limits on God.

I don’t have to be perfect, just persistent.  It’s ok to have ups and downs.

I have am well equipped to all God’s called me to do.

I refuse to abuse my body any further.  Today I commit to treat it with love, respect, and gratitude.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Today I will be good to myself.  I will create my own happiness.  I will believe in my own power.  I will inspire someone.

I choose life over death.  I choose freedom over bondage.  I choose love over hatred.  I choose joy and hope over fear.

Nothing will stop me from reaching my goals.  God will give me a fresh supply of strength each day.

I am made for more than this excuse for a life I've been living.  I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues and, using the Lord’s strength in me, defeat them – spiritually, physically, and mentally – to the glory of God.

I might get knocked down but I WILL NOT stay down.

I will come out of this stronger.  What was meant for my harm will be to my advantage.

I am committed.  I am strong.  I am capable.  I am focused.  I am determined.  I am healthy.  I am beautiful.  I am more than a conqueror.  I am blessed.  I am favored.  I am powerful. 

I love myself.  I love to move.  I love eating nutritious foods.  I love to be good to my body.

I am worth it.  I deserve to be happy.  I deserve and am capable of success.  My future is getting brighter and brighter.

how beautiful life is!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to really live life. To not just exist, to but to “suck the marrow out of life” as I’ve heard it said.

I’ve been coming across some blogs that have been speaking to me to start living life already - not once I lose weight, but NOW.

The way BitchCakes revels in what her body can do and the way she explores her amazing city with such joy (on a pink Hello Kitty bike, in heels, mind you)…

This article that CurvyFitGirl posted about…

“Being overweight isn’t what holds you back from living your life: Being ashamed about being overweight is what holds you back from living your life. And once you stop feeling ashamed and start feeling alive, I promise the momentum of your happiness will drive you to make choices that allow you to become more alive, more excited, and more capable.”

and this tidbit at Terra Ayres’ blog…

“Don’t wait to be at your “goal weight” before you allow yourself to be happy. Our lives are now and acceptance of where we are in our journey at this moment brings us peace. Somedays it’s tough to do, but the goal is to enjoy the journey. Find things to be grateful for right now.”

Thanks for the inspiration, ladies!

As I get older I keep getting to a place where I start wondering about the purpose of my life. What is the point of me being here? I went back to my “list of 50 things to do before I turn 50” that I started making about a year ago (and then forgot about). I realized that I need to start doing some of those things now. Sure, some of them will have to wait until I’m smaller (like surfing), but some of these things I can do TODAY. I think more than I realize, I let my weight be an excuse to not live life. I don’t want to live like that anymore.

I noticed some common threads throughout my list - I need to start loving more, get closer to people, give more of my time and money away, experience the beauty of this world, push my body to its limits, and learn all that I can about the things I find fascinating.

I need to stop wasting so much of my time on the internet and watching TV, less time laying in bed and less time *thinking about* doing something with my life and finally just DO IT. I need to stop letting my "weight loss journey" be at the forefront of my mind all the time.

I love this song by Colombian, Jorge Celedon about how beautiful life is. It’s in Spanish, but I've translated it myself below.  The lyrics are just amazing.  The first time I heard it, it made me cry.

“Esta Vida” This Life

Me gusta el olor que tiene la mañana
I love the smell of the morning
me gusta el primer traguito de café
I love the first little sip of coffee
sentir como el sol se asoma en mi ventana
to feel the sun peering in through my window
y me llena la mirada, de un hermoso amanecer.
and fill my sight with a beautiful sunrise
Me gusta escuchar la paz de las montañas
I love to listen to the peace of the mountains
mirar los colores del atardecer
to see the colors of the sunset
sentir en mis pies la arena de la playa
to feel the sand from the beach on my feet
y lo dulce de la caña, cuando beso a mi mujer.
and the sweetness of the sugar cane when I kiss my woman

Se, se que el tiempo lleva prisa, pa' borrarme de la lista, pero yo le digo que.
I know time is in a hurry to erase me from the list, but I tell it…

Ay, que bonita es esta vida
Oh, how beautiful life is!
aunque a veces duela tanto
even though sometimes, it hurts so much
y a pesar de los pesares
and despite the regrets
siempre hay alguien que nos quiere, siempre hay alguien que nos cuida.
there’s always someone who loves us, always someone who keeps us safe

Ay ay ay ay, que bonita es esta vida
Oh, how beautiful life is!
y aunque no sea para siempre
and even though it doesn't last forever
si la vivo con mi gente
if I live it with my people
es bonita hasta la muerte con aguaardiente y tequila
it’s beautiful to the death with liquor and tequila

Me gusta escuchar la voz de una guitarra
I love to hear the voice of a guitar
brindar por aquel amigo que se fue
to toast to that friend that left us
sentir el abrazo de la madrugada
to feel the embrace of daybreak
y llenarme la mirada de otro hermoso amanecer
and to fill my sight with another beautiful sunrise

So let’s talk action. I’m going to regularly do things on my list and try to live more “in the moment” each day. I think I’m going to start with item #43 - Hike up to a place with a breathtaking view. I still have the rest of summer to do it. I've done nothing but be bored all summer! Although I realized I did complete item #17, which was to um… partake of a natural herb (it ended up being really stupid experience).

Anyhoo - I’m off to get started planning my hiking trip! And later today I’m headed to a quinceañera with my mom and niece. It may be kind of boring but I’m going to make a conscious effort to enjoy my time with my family.